What is meant by mast cell stabilization?
The mast cell is a key cell in type I allergic conditions (immediate hypersensitivity) e.g. bronchial asthma. It role is related to IgE mediated histamine release. When the antigen cross-links 2 IgE molecules on the surface of mast cell; histamine is released leading to the allergic manifestations. Drugs which are called mast cell stabilizers prevent Ag-mediated histamine release by different mechanisms. One of these groups is the beta-2 agonists which act through decreasing the intracellular calcium (an important mediator for this histamine release).
